Pubdate: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 Source: Burlington Post (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Burlington Post Contact: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528 NELSON STUDENTS NABBED IN POLICE DRUG CRACKDOWN Fourteen Nelson High School students and two others are facing drug charges and school suspensions following a drug sweep by Halton police last week in the Shoreacres Creek area. Police say officers visited multiple areas along the creek's ravine in the New Street/Belvenia Road area Thursday morning after receiving information that drug activity was occurring there. During a two-hour period, officers arrested 16 youths and charged each of them with possession of a controlled substance. Police say the substance was marijuana. All but two of the arrested youths are 14 years old and students at nearby Nelson. All have been suspended. Sheila Emmerson, one of the school's vice-principals, said most of the suspensions are for three days. She couldn't comment on specific students but said some might be suspended for longer than three days. Those suspensions have yet to be determined, she said. Two of the arrested teens are 16 years old and not students at Nelson. Police say their information about the drug use also indicated students were suffering effects of drug use during school hours. Sgt. Val Hay, public affairs officer with Halton police, said police are encouraging residents throughout Burlington to phone police if they suspect drug activity is occurring in their neighbourhoods. Residents can phone police directly at 905-634-1831, ext. 2305, or phone Crime Stoppers of Halton at 905-825-8477. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin